Angel and the Assassin

get a
    good pension. This will ruin me.”
    Adopting the most evil expression he could manage, Kael said, “I‟ve no
    intention of killing you, and they won‟t need a pension, because I‟ll kill them. If you
    do anything to hurt Angel, or if you let anyone else hurt Angel, I‟ll go after your
    family and I‟ll pick them off one at a time, starting with that little girl. The only one
    I‟ll make a point of leaving alive will be you, Stephen.”
    Conran began to pant, his face growing red with rage. He tried to speak, but
    the words seemed stuck in his throat. “You bastard,” was all he could say. “You
    bastard.”
    “You know I‟m a bastard; that‟s not news.” Kael sounded very calm, as though
    he was enjoying himself, but the truth was he hated threatening a child and he
    would never hurt one. But Conran didn‟t know that, and Kael was unsure whether
    to be flattered or outraged that the man believed him capable of such an act. The
    video should have been enough to gain Conran‟s compliance. It was his own fault
    that Kael had to threaten his family.
    The little boys ran over with their mother behind them holding Annabelle by
    the hand. Kael had met Conran‟s wife before. She had no idea he was gay, and she
    was very attracted to him, though she would never admit it. Her pupils always
    dilated when she looked up into his eyes. At the same time she knew her husband
    had met him at school when he was a scholarship boy from a council estate, and she
    thought she was too good for him. She thought he was nothing but a bit of rough .
    Kael smiled at her and watched her throat constrict as she swallowed hard. “Mr.
    Saunders, I believe, the language specialist?”
    “That‟s right.” She knew perfectly well who he was. “Call me Kael.”
    Conran threw her a nervous look. “Darling. I‟m afraid I have to do a bit of
    business. Could you go on home with the children, and I‟ll be there as soon as
    possible?”
    “Stephen!” The protest came out as a whine, making Kael grateful that he did
    not have a whining wife. Every time he saw couples like this, Dominant/submissive
    relationships made more and more sense. Someone had to be in charge.
    “Sorry, darling, but I‟ll be home soon. I wouldn‟t ask you if it wasn‟t
    important.”
    She released a long sigh and looked accusingly at Kael, who kept on smiling at
    her.
    When they were gone, walking across the grass toward the car park, Conran
    looked up at Kael. “I‟ll do what I can, but you had better keep the boy out of the way
    for a little longer until I can work on a few people. It‟s a good job you are so
    valuable, or you‟d never get away with this.”

    Angel and the Assassin
    125

    Kael looked over at Angel, who sat obediently on the fountain wall watching
    him. He beckoned him, and the boy jumped up and hurried toward him, finishing
    his ice cream. “Angel, this is Mr. Conran.”
    Angel slid his arm around Kael‟s waist. “I know, Daddy; I remember.”
    Conran frowned at Angel. “I‟ve never met you.”
    “He was in the dungeon watching,” Kael said simply.
    Conran‟s hands shook. “Did you plan the whole thing?”
    “How could I? You showed up at my flat after following me to the supermarket,
    remember? All I did was take advantage of the situation, and let‟s face it, Stephen,
    you had the best time of your life. And if you behave yourself, we can do it again.”
    “I want nothing more to do with you,” Conran said. “I was a fool to trust you.
    You‟ve always been as slippery as an eel, always out to use everyone.”
    Angel stepped away from Kael and got up in Conran‟s face. “Hey, dude, who
    the hell do you think you‟re talking to? Don‟t talk to my daddy like that!”
    Surprised, Kael looked at the boy, who stood with his fists clenched as if he
    would punch Conran in the face. “Angel, we have to be nice to Mr. Conran. He‟s
    going to get your citizenship for you so you can live here in England.” He reached
    around Angel to take his wrists and lower them to his sides.
    “Well, that‟s nice, but he still can‟t talk to you that way, Daddy. You‟re his
    master.”
    Kael laughed. Conran‟s face contorted as if he would burst into tears of
    frustration and rage. Two hot red spots flamed on his cheeks, and he looked around
    constantly. “He is nothing of the sort,” Conran blustered.
    “He sure was the other night. Anyway, thanks for helping me, dude. When
    everything is sorted out, I can go and